Belt centering mechanism



SePt- 1l, 1934 E. F. MULLER Y 1,973,095

BELT CENTERING MECHAN I SII Filed'fApril 16,1932

WWW/A5* AYT'Y Patented Sept. 1l, 1934 1,973,095 *y BELT CENTERING MECHANISM Ernst'F. Muller, Columbus, Ohio, assigner to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation o! lOhio Application April 1s, 1932, serial No. 605,658

z8' claims.. `(Cl. 19e-2oz) My invention relates tov apparatus 'for auto-- matically maintaining a. belt of a belt conveyor in central position and one o! the objects of the invention is the provision of improved and edlcient mechanism for automatically maintaining a conveyor belt in central position in either direction of travel thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of belt centering mechanism for both the upper and lower runs of a belt conveyor.

A further object of the invention is the provision of frictional mechanism for automatically shifting belt centering mechanism upon reversal of travel of the belt. Y

Another object of the invention is the provision oi belt centering mechanism for both the upper and lower runs of the conveyor belt and connections between said belt centering mechanisms to eil'ect automatic reversal oi both of them upon reversal of the belt conveyor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved and eiilcient means for reversing belt centering mechanism which shall operate also as belt cleaning apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved and eiiicient belt cleaning mechanism operable upon movement of the belt in either direction and applied to the upper surface of the lower run of the belt to prevent material from being moved between the belt pulleys and the belt. y

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is an elevational view of portions of a travelling belt conveyor with my improvements applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2 ol Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view oi a portion of the belt conveyor with the upper run removedv and showing the belt centering mechanism for both runs of the conveyor combined with the belt cleaner and the sluiting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a. side view of the structure shown in Fig. 3;

And Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a modification by omitting belt centering mechanism for the lower run of the conveyor.

In Fig. 1 the travelling belt conveyor is shown as comprising a transverse H-shaped support 6 adapted to rest on the iioor 7. The upper run 8 of the belt is supported in trough-shaped position by means of inclined rollers 9 journaled 0n shafts supported at their outer ends at iii in vertical slots in the longitudinal angle irons 11, 11. At their inner ends the shafts of the rollers 9 are supported in the slots 12 in brackets 13. o Between the spaced-apart brackets 13 are SupDOrted hori- 6i zontal rollers 14 in position to contact with the bottom oi the trough of the upper run 8.

The lower run 150i the conveyor belt is adapted to rest on co-axial rollers 16, the outer ends of the shafts of which are supported in the slots 17 $5" as shown in Fig. 1. It should be understood that supporting mechanism' similar to that shown at the left-hand portion of Fig. 1 is provided at frequent intervals to properly support .the load conveyed by the upper run 8 oi the belt conveyor. 70"

Intermediate the spaced-apart supports 6 are located at intervals the belt centering mechanisms comprising the U-shaped supports 18 to the upper ends of which are secured the longitudinal spacedapart angle irons 11, 1l. spaced-apart rollers 19, 19 are journaled on the shafts 19', 19', the inner ends 20, 20 oi which extend through openings in the angular brackets 21, 21. The latter are secured to the I-beam 22 the ends of which are secured to the U-shaped support 18 shown in 80 Fig. 2.

It should be understood that the rollers 19 are mounted to rotate on the axles 19 the outer ends 23, 23 of which project through the longitudinal slots 24 in the vertical portions of the angle irons 85 11, 11. It will thus be seen that the lateral edges oi the trough-shaped upper run 8 of the conveyor belt rest on the rollers 19, 19 intermediate the ends of the latter. By reason of the slots 24 the outer ends 23, 2a or me shafts of the rouers may 9o slide along the angle irons 11, 11 to cause the rollers to be diverged forwardly relative to'the inner ends 20, 20 in the direction oi travel of the belt. The rollers will therefore each have a tendency to deilect the belt toward the opposite side. If the belt travels in the center of the frame comprising the U-shaped supports and the longitudinal angle irons 11, 11 the load on each outer roller 19 will be about the same. It the belt does not travel along the central longitudinal path desired, the load on one outer roller 19 will become greater than on the other and this difference in the roller load will provide the necessary force to lead the belt toward the center of the frame.

The same is also true with respect to the lower dat run 15 of the conveyor belt. 'Ihe two rollers 25, 25 may have the inner ends of their shafts supported in the standard 26 as shown in Fig. 2 and their outer ends supported in horizontal slots one of which is shown in elevation at 27 in dotted 110 lines in Fig. 4. When the lower run 15 of the belt travels in the directionof the arrow 28 as shown in Fig. 3 the outer ends of the rollers 25 diverge in the direction of the travel of the belt. At the same time the upper run 8 will be travelling in the opposite direction as indicated by the arrow 29 in Fig.{1 and such direction of travel will cause the upper rollers 19 to occupy the positions shown in Fig. 3. Itwi-ll thus be seen that when the lateral edges of the belt rest on the rollers 19 the outer ends of their axles 19 are supported in the horizontal slots 24, so thatl the rollers will automatically occupy diverging relations inV accordance with the direction of travel of the belt, the said outerends being free to slide along said slots.

It should be observed that the longitudinal slots ,.24 in the angle irons 11, 11 are arrangedsyxnmetrically with respect ,to the holes in the inclined brackets 21 so that when the belt travels in one direction the rollers 19 will assume a diverging relation accordingly and when the belt travelsin the opposite direction the diverging relation of the rollers 19 will be in the opposite direction. That is to say, a vertical plane extending transversely of the conveyor through the inner ends. 20 will extend through the centers or midway y between the ends of the slots 24. Likewise a vertical transverse plane extending through the inner ends of the shafts of the rollers 25 will'pass through the slots 27 midway between the ends of the latter.

It will thus be seen that when lower run 15 of the belt travels in the direction oi' theV arrow 30 as shown in Fig. 4 the rollers 25 will assume a diverging relation in the direction of the arrow 30, the outer ends of the rollers 25 being then located at the right-hand ends of the slots 217 in the vertical standards 18. The upper run of the belt will then be travelling in the direction of the arrow.31 which will cause the upper pair of rollers 19 to assume a diverging relation `in the direction of travel of the upper run of the belt, the ends 23 then being located at the lleft-hand ends of the slots 24 as viewed' in Fig. 4.

When the belt is reversed totravel in a direc-' tion opposite to that indicated by the arrowsv 30 and 31 the rollers 25 and 19 will be shifted to reversed diverging positions. That is to say, when the lower run l5 is reversed to travel in the" direction opposite to that indicated bythe arrow 30 the rollers 25 will assume a diverging relation in the direction of travel of the belt and the ends 32 at the outer ends of the rollers 25 will move to the left-hand ends of the slots 27 as viewed in Fig. 4. Likewise, when' the upper run 8 is re-'\` versed the ends 23 will slide to the right-hand ends of the slots 24 and the rollers will assume a diverging relation in the direction of travel of the belt. It should be understood that when the rollers assume a diverging relation in the direction of travel of the belt they will act automatically to center the belt in the supporting framework.

In order to more positively effect shifting oi the rollers 19 and 25 when the belt is reversed I have. provided levers 33, 33 on opposite sides ofthe'con-A veyor apparatus. 'I'he levers 33 are pivoted at- 34, 34 to brackets 35, 35. The upper ends of the levers 33 are provided with openings or perforations which fit loosely over the ends 23, 23. The lower ends of the levers 33 are pivoted at 36 to links 37, 3'7 theright-hand ends ofy which as viewed in Fig. 4 are provided with openings or perforations which tlosely over the pins 82. ,It will thus be seen that when reversal of the belt automatically reverses the diverging positions of one set of rollers under one run of the belt the other set of rollers will also'be changed into diverging positions in accordance with the direction of travel of the belt.

'I'he main purpose of the connecting links 33, however, is to enable frictionally operable mechanism to positively change the diverging positions of the rollers 19 and 25 when the belt is reversed. 'I'his frictionally operable mechanism. comprises a plate 38 which rests on the upper surface ofthe lower run 15 of the belt. vided with laterally projecting pins 39 which extend into upright slots 40 in the upright levers 33, as shown in Figs. land 4. It can readily be seen by referring to Fig. 4 that when the lower run of the belt 15 travels in the direction of the arrow 30 the pins 39 in the slots 40 act to move the lever 33 on the pivot 34 with the lower end of the lever projected toward the right and the upper end thereof projected toward the left. During the operation of the. conveyor, the belt 15 continues to slide under the plate'38 andthe con-l` stantlyapplied friction to the lattervwill act to l postively hold the rollers 19 and' 25 indiverging relation `to the direction of travel ofthe belt. `If the direction of travel of the belt is reversed the plate 38 will be frictionally operated to positively shift the outer ends of'therrollers 19 and 25 to the opposite ends of the slots 24 and 27 and Vpositively hold the rollers in such positions during continued operation of the belt conveyor.

The plate 38 is pro-/l' For the purpose of strengthening ltheplate 38 andv obtaining: scraping "edges, `vertical flanges are 1 provided atl 41 and 42. These flanges are pref` erably v-shaped when viewed'in plan as shown in Fig'. 3 so as'to deflect'from .the sides of the con# 'y i veyor belt 15 suchv loosefmaterial as may fall i thereon.l Whenv the belt` i5. travels'in the direc-` tion of the'arrowp28the flange 41 acts to' scrape and deflect foreign material from the upper surv4 y face of the belt 15. VWhen the conveyor-travelsjin the opposite direction the yopposite ang'e 42-acts` `to scrape foreign materialfrorn'the belt and deilect it o'the `sides .or edges thereof.;4 .'lihe frictionally operable reversing apparatus vfor the `centering mechanism therefore-alsoactsto clean" the upperv surface ofthe lower runpvof. thefvbelt and i `prevent foreign material from passing'between'- the belt and therollers or drums at thefconveyor apparatus. .1 .Mountedponeachof the supports 6, 18 and 44 the ends of as shown in Fig.-1 isa center transverse roller for supporting thehorizontai portion-of the trough-` shaped upperrun 8vof the conveyor. belt. uvThe horizontal transverse supporting roller-is .designated 14 at the left-'hand 'end' of Fig. 1, 45 in the center thereofv and 46vat the right-hand end. s

shown in Figr; the'endsf46', 46 ofthe shaft-on -which the roller 45l is. journaled, are-supported in openings'in the-A brackets 48,- 48 mounted-on the,- I-beam 22. y j

Inthe modiiication shown in 'Fig..5 the links 37 .and the slots 27 shown in Fig. 4 have been.

omitted and the llower horizontal supporting rollvthe ends 23 of the shafts of the rollers 19. The

levers 33' are pivoted at 47 to the brackets 35'.A

14C ers 25have the outer. ends of their shafts supfj ported in circular perforations inthe supportingv standards 44. The upper-ends ofthe levers 33" are provided-with openings which fit loosely over,

' belt-centering mechanism shown at the central.

runs of the belt but in Fig. 5 I have shown centering mechanism for only the upper run of the belt,

butin both forms the friction mechanism operthe direction of travel of the upper run of thev belt when the belt travel is reversed.

The conveyor structure to which my belt centering mechanism and belt cleaning mechanism are particularly adapted as shown in the accompanying drawing, is claimed in the co-'pending application of Nils D. Levin, Serial No. 664,780, filed April 6, 1933, for an Improvement in material handling mechanism. l

It should be particularly understood that the portion of Fig. 1 and at the right-hand portion thereof is not intendedto be used at each of the supporting standards for the conveyor apparatus. Between the standards l8and 44, as indicated by the broken ends of the angle irons 11, 11 andY the belt runs, a plurality of the H-shaped standards' may be used. i For instance, in some instan'ces one of the centering devices may be lo- 25 cated 'at such intervals that they will be spaced apart from 100 feet to 15u feet.

It will be observed that the cross-pieces 22, V22

are positioned above the scraper and adjacentv -thereto -for holding the scraper continuously in scraping engagement with the belt. Otherwise,

in the event of there being a large vmass of ma'- vterial on the belt, there might be a tendency for the scraper to ride over such material without Y' dislodging the same.

by engagement of the scraper with the crossthe belt, assuring from the belt.

The `tendency is prevented being thereby pressed against piece, the scraper dislodgement of all material Obviously` those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

. Having thus described and shownv an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure yby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a belt, of supporting framework therefor,

belt centering mechanism comprising supports for opposite edges of thev upper run of the belt and diverging in the direction of travel of said upper run, additional belt centering mechanism as comprising supports for opposite edges of the lower vrun of the belt and diverging in the direction of travel of said lower run, and means operated automatically by reversal of said belt for reversing both of said centering mechanisms.

2. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a reversible belt centering mechanism for the upper run of a conveyor, of a reversible belt centering mechanism for the lower run of the conveyor, and means operable by reversal of the travel of the belt for reversing both of, said centering mechanisms.

-3. In conveyor apparatus, the combination-A- with a reversible belt conveyor, of belt centering mechanism comprising belt edge rollers on di- A- said rollers to change the divergence of said rollers when the belt conveyor is reversed.

connections between said scraperand 4.' In centering mechanism for belt conveyors, the combination with a frame having upper side members provided wi'thvertircal plates, of belt edge rollers for supporting'said belt and comprising inclined axles, and inclined bracket plates having holes for receiving the lower inner ends of said axles, the outer ends of said axles extending through unobstructed horizontal slots in said vertical plates. A

5. In centering mechanism for belt conveyors, the combination with a frame having. longitudinal unobstructed slots in the sides thereof, of belt edge rollers and comprising inclined axles, and supports for the inner ends of said axles, said supports having holes for receiving said axles in a transverse vertical plane extending throughAv said slots intermediate the ends thereof, and the outer ends of vsaid axles being free to slide alongv said slots upon reversal of travel of vsaid belt.

6. In centering mechanism for belt conveyors, the combination with a frame comprising top angle irons having .longitudinal unobstructed i slots in the vertical flanges thereof, of rollers for supportingv theedge portions of the belt, and

Abracket plates having holes therein in a vertical plane extending through said holes and said slots midway the length of the latter, said rollers hav.-

mg axles the inner ends ef whiennt-lnihe holes of said bracket plates and the outer ends ofwhichthe travel oi' .the beltis reversed.

8. In 'conveyor apparatus, the combination.

with a reversible belt conveyor,fof belt' center-1 ing mechanism comprising rollers having shafts for supporting the same'under the .edges of the belt on diverging axes, a transverse scraper com -4 tinuously in contact with one of, the surfacesof said belt, and connections-between 'said scraperv and said belt centering mechanism to shift thel outer ends of said shafts to change the divergence of said rollers when the belt conveyor is reversed.

,'9. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a reversible belt conveyor, of belt centering mechanism comprising rollers having shafts for supporting the same under thev edges of the Ybelt on diverging axes, Aa scraper extending entirely across said belt, and connections between 'said' scraper and said belt centering mechanism to shift the outer ends of said shafts to change the divergence of said rollers when the belt conveyor is reversed. A

10. In conveyor apparatus,` the combination with a reversible belt conveyor, of belt centering mechanism comprising belt edge rollers supported on diverging axes, a scraper continuously in vcontact, with the belt and operable to scrape material therefrom during travel of the beltl in either direction, and connections between said iis Y lao las

scraper and-said belt centering mechanism i i* shift the' divergence of said rollers `when the belt conveyor is reversed. 1 1' 111. In conveyor' apparatus, the combination.

verging axes, a double V-shaped scraper plate .'Wifhl' .9 belt Conveyor cOmPfiSing a Supporting frame, a floating scraper resting von the upper side of the lower run of said belt, reversible' belt"v 'centering mechanism for the upper run of the means comprising pin and slot conveyor and gg 591K',

lso

' rollers each journalled in a with a reversible belt centering mechanism `for t when the belt conveyor is reversed.

12. In conveyor apparatus, the combination 'fof va belt conveyor comprising aJ supporting frame having longitudinal sidebar-s', and belt lcenter-` ing mechanism comprising i hole oi saidframe'at its inner end and. in an unobstructed longitudinal slot in said side bars at its outer end.

13'. yIn conveyor apparatus, the combination with a belt, of supporting framework therefor, `belt centering mechanism` comprising supports for opposite edgesof the upper run of the' belt` and diverging in the direction. of travel of the' -upper run, additional belt centering mechanism' comprising supports for opposite edges oidthe` lower, run of the belt and `diverging in-tliel .direction of travel ofthe lower run, shifting connections between the said belt centering mechanisms, and means operated automatically by;

reversal oi' travelof the said beltv for actuating the said connections toV eilect reversal of both of the said belt centering mechanisms.

14. In conveyor' apparatus, the combination with a belt, of supporting-framework' therefor,

" belt centering mechanism comprising supports for opposite edges of the upper run of the belt, the said supports beingv shiftable at their outer ends longitudinally of the framework to diverge in' either direction of travel of said upper run of the belt, additional belt centering mechanism comprising supports'for the opposite edges of the lower run of the lbelt with the' outer ends of said supports beingshiftable longitudinally of the said framework to diverge in either direction of travel of the said lower runvo'f the belt, mechanical connections between the said supports on opposite sides of the said framework, and means operated automatically by' reversal of travel of the said belt to actuate the said mechanical connections to reversef both of the said centering mechanisms.

l5. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a belt, of supporting framework therefor, rollers projecting laterally from opposite edges of the upper run of the said belt, bearing shafts one for each roller, means for supporting the said shafts on the said framework with their outer ends slidable longitudinally of the frame work to support the said rollers onaxes downwardly and inwardly inclined from the outer edges of the said belt and for occupying positions diverging in the direction of travel of the upper run of the belt, additional rollers projecting from the lateral edges of the lower run of the belt, bearing shafts one for each of the lower rollers with theouter ends of said shafts slidable longitudinally of the said framework to support the lower rollers to diverge in the direction of travel of the lower run of the belt, mechanical connections between the outer ends of the said shafts on opposite sides of the said framework," and means operable by reversal of the belt for shifting the said mechanical connections to secure reversal of the divergence of the lower rollers. A

16. In conveyorl apparatus, the combination the upper run of a conveyor, of a reversible belt centering mechanism for the lower run of the conveyor, mechanism connecting the said belt centering mechanisms, and means operable by reversal of the travel of the said belt to actuate the said connecting mechanism to effect reversal of both of the vsaid centering mechanisms.

belt edge supporting.

.I y1,973,095 t centering mechanism for reversing the latter f .a reversible belt conveyor, of reversible. belt cen- 1)'1.- In conveyor apparatus the combination with tering mechanism. by the .said belt and means frictionally engaged and connected to the said belt ycentering lmechanism to reverse the same when the said belt conveyor is reversed.

18.--In conveyor apparatus, the combination withja beltv conveyor comprising a supporting frame, of a V-`shaped floating'scraper resting on f theupper su ace ofthe lower run of the belt, pinsV projecting laterally from the said scraper, and

`means "mounted at the lower sides ofthe said .frameto afford upright slots'for receiving the said laterally projecting pins to confine the scraper against longitudinal `movements but permitting limited up and down movements of the said scraper relatively to the said frame. n I

y 19. In conveyor apparatus, the combination lwith a reversible belt conveyor, of belt supporting means for the conveyor, a scraper for the said conveyor operable during travel ofL the said conveyor in either direction and 'continuously in scraping contact with the s aid belt, and acrosspiece on the said frame spaced above the said belt supporting means and above the said scraper and adjacent to the latter forcontinuously holding the .scraper in scraping engagement with the belt.

their outer ends projecting into the said longitudinal horizontal slots for supporting the rollers on diverging axes relative to either direction of the travel of the belt, the said slots being free and un- 'obstructed to permit automatic sliding of the outer ends of said shafts along such slots when the direction of travel of the belt is reversed.

.21. In a belt conveyor, the combination with a supporting frame having elongated angle iros at the upper lateral edges thereof, of a conveyor belt, rollers for supporting said belt, shafts for rotatably supporting said rollers, and means for supporting the said shafts on the said frame with the outer ends of the said 'shafts free to slide along longitudinal slots in the said angle irons to effect an automatic pitching forward of the outer ends of the said rollers in the direction of travel of the belt when the direction of such travel is reversed.

22. In a belt conveyor the combination with a supporting frame comprising elongated vertical plates with longitudinal horizontal slots therein, of a traveling belt, rollers mounted at the edges of said belt for supporting the same, shafts on which the said rollers are journalled, and spacedapart bracket plates having openings for receiving the inner ends of the said shafts, the outer ends of the said'shafts being freely slidable along the said slots in either direction from a vertical plane extending transversely through the said openings and points intermediate the ends of the said slots.

23. In centering mechanism for belt conveyors, the combination with a supporting frame comprising elongated top side members having elongated vertical plates, of a traveling belt, `means comprising belt edge rollers for supporting said belt, and mechanism comprising shafts rotatably supporting the said rollers and extending into longitudinal slots in the said vertical plates for effecting automatic shifting of the diverging axes of said rollers relative to the longitudinal length o! the said frame.

24. The combination with a reversiblebelt conveyor, of means for supporting the belt comprising edge rollers, mechanism for supporting the said rollers for automatic shifting of their axes to positions diverging in the direction of travelo! the belt when such direction is reversed,'actuating levers' at the sides of the conveyor and connected to the outer ends of the said mechanism for supporting the said edge rollers, a plate adapted to rest on the lower run of the said belt, and connections between the said plate and the lower ends of the said levers to actuate the latter.

25. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a reversible belt conveyor, of belt centering mechanism comprising belt edge rollers on diverging axes, a plate on the upper side of the lower runof the belt, and connections between the said plate and the belt centering mechanism to change the divergence of the said rollers when the belt conveyor is reversed.

26. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a reversible belt conveyor, of belt centering mechanismvcomprising belt edge'rollers on dlverging axes for the upper run of the belt, additional belt centering mechanism comprising belt edge rollers on diverging axes for the lower run of the belt, an actuating device'uresting on the upper side of the lower run of the belt, and connections between the said actuating device and both of the said belt centering mechanisms to shift the outer ends of all of the said rollers to change the divergence of theA upper rollers and the divergence of the lower rollers whenthe belt is reversed.

27. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a reversible belt conveyor, of belt centering mechanism comprising beltA edge rollerson diverging axes, belt cleaning mechanism on the upper side ot the lower run of the belt, and connections between the belt cleaning mechanism and the said belt centering vmechanism to automatically change the divergence of the said rollers when the belt conveyor is reversed.

28. In conveyor apparatus, the combination with a conveyor belt, of a supporting frame, rollers on fixed horizontal transverse axes for sup-v porting the lower run of the conveyor belt, troughing roller supports for the upper run of the conveyor belt comprising a central roller on a fixed horizontal transverse axis and belt edge rollers mounted on upwardly and laterally extending axes diverging in the direction of travel of the belt, an actuating device engaged by the lower run of the belt, and connections between the said actuating device and the outer ends of the edge rollers to shift the same along horizontal longitudinal slots in the said frame to change the divergence of the said inclined axes upon reversal of direction of travel of the said belt.

ERNST F. MULLER. 

